Final Gallery Essay

The Secret behind Pictures

         Recently in my ENC1102 class we went to visit the 31^st Annual College-wide Photography Competition Art Gallery at Kent Campus. I must say there were a couple of pictures that caught my attention in so many ways. It’s amazing how pictures and facial expressions can have an impact on someone emotions. Behind every picture I’ve chosen is a secret behind my life. Why I smile, why I may need to stop to listen, and if I am unsure of something. “A picture is a secret about a secret, the more it tells you the less you know.”- Diana Arbus

        My first picture I have chosen was done by, Jasmine Platt “Smile.” The reason why this was one of my choices was because I loved to smile. The little girl in the photo reminded me of when I was a little girl growing up wearing glasses who would always smile; I still have that same smile. The reason for my smile is because I’m happy and thankful. I’m thankful to still be alive, to have my health and strength, and to be able to still walk on this beautiful place called earth at my age. I’m 21 years old and I lost a few friends that were around my age to violence. I cherish every moment of my life because it’s precious and tomorrow is never promised. I smile because I’m blessed child. I say I’m blessed because I have a family and friends who love me to death and who would give me the world if they could. I’m also blessed to have a roof over my head, a job, and a car to get me where I need to go. I don’t have much but I have every reason to smile.

       The second picture I have chosen was done by, Trevor Runyon “Stop.” I’ve chosen this particular picture because it represents some point in my life. Sometimes other’s and myself tends to remind me to just stop listen and learn. I need to learn to listen to positive things instead of negative things. I need to encourage myself to learn how to listen instead of talking when someone is trying to tell me something that is right from wrong. I also need to learn to think positive instead of thinking something negative will happen. There is still a lot in the world I need to learn. But in order for me to learn anything, I need to first know how to close my mouth and open my ears to listen. Last but not least I need to stop beating myself up with the choices I’ve made so far for the ups and downs I’ve had in my lifetime. I need to stop and live life with no regrets.

         Finally I made it to my last picture that I have chosen was done buy, Michelle Fleek “IDK.” This picture represents me to the fullest. The reason why I say that is because I don’t know where I will end up in life. There are so many things I want to do with my life. But I don’t know where to start from. I’m not sure if I’m even taking the right steps to be where I want to be in my life. Some of my choices and decisions have me all over the place. I don’t know where I’m headed or where I’ll actually end up. I know what I need to do and I’m not going to say I don’t where I’m going in life. I will become a young black successful young woman; I have dreams I’m willing to accomplish. I look forward to achieve in every last one of them. So for now I will not tell myself I don’t know where I’m headed in life.

        In conclusion these great photographs I’ve chosen from the Art Gallery made me feel some type of emotion from my life. It amazes me how photos of people or places can influence how a person may feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. The reason why I’ve chosen these particular pictures is because they represent a place in my life. I have my many reasons to smile; I even have my moments where I need to just stop and listen, and I don’t know what may occur in my life or where I’m headed. But I do know I’m following my dreams.  I really believe a picture is worth a thousand words.